An open letter from Sabrina Romasz, Police Recruit, Capstone Project, Somerset County Police Academy, June 13, 2004.

Dear Sir,

It has become a common practice of the Somerset County Police Academy to have their recruit classes partake in a project that allows them to go out into a community and implement a type of program, which will in turn, become a beneficial resource utilized between the community and their local police department. It is called the Capstone Project and I was fortunate enough to be a part of a project that was employed by the Franklin Township Police Department and a small senior community named Canal Walk

. The group consisted of four recruits from different parts of New Jersey, all the way from Bayonne in Hudson County to Lawrence Township in Mercer County. We were assigned the task of creating awareness amongst the Canal Walk residents about domestic terrorism (defined), how to react to a possible attack, and how to report suspicious activity to the police in an effective manner. Having such a diverse group lead to an unending platform of ideas.

We began our research with a survey that consisted of a few questions. These questions focused on how well the residents knew what proper actions they should take in the event of a terrorist attack in New Jersey. We also incorporated a few open-ended questions that centered on their past experiences and knowledge of crime. The group was surprised to see that not many people knew much about domestic terrorism or how to react to an incident if it were to occur in New Jersey.

After our survey was completed, the group held a meeting at the Senior Center with the residents of Canal Walk. With the help of one of the patrol officers from the Franklin Township Police Department, we were able to inform the residents what domestic terrorism is, how to react to a possible attack, and how to report suspicious activity that could be linked to future attacks. The residents did not seem to know much about the issues discussed, and was not even aware that instances of domestic terrorism could happen right in their backyard. They thanked us for the information and said they would be in touch with the police department to take further steps in implementing the program within their community.

From this project I learned how important it is to be in touch with the residents of the community in which I will work. Knowledge is the key to keeping safe. Proper reporting and utilization of the police department can lead to a proactive approach to possible instances of crime. I enjoyed the time I spent talking with the citizens of Canal Walk. They offered a lot of insight into the preliminary stages of the project. Our group learned how important it is for us to be open to all ideas the public has to offer. I believe this Capstone Project is an extremely important part of the academy learning experience. It broadens interpersonal and communication skills amongst the recruits and the public, skills that can be used throughout our career.

Respectfully submitted,
Sabrina Romasz, Recruit SCPA

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